TONY PULIS might have struggled to bring in the wingers he wanted over the course of the summer, but he certainly can’t be accused of overlooking his midfield area.

While he is still short of experienced options to play on the left and right following the departure of Adama Traore to Wolves, he had no problem in bringing the men in the middle in.

Middlesbrough signed three new centre-midfielders before the summer window was closed, with Mo Besic, Paddy McNair and George Saville all making the move with the intention of starting rather than sitting on the bench.

Throw in the fact Lewis Wing started the season well in that role and justified his appearances, it is little wonder that Pulis has often played with a midfield three to accommodate a few of his eight centre-midfield players in one go.

Here’s a closer look at what the midfielders have to offer to Middlesbrough and how likely they are to start.

MO BESIC

Age: 26

Appearances this season: 3

The Bosnian is a player Pulis clearly trusts a lot. Having waited all summer for him to accept a return to the Riverside, he finally landed his man last month and it would be no surprise to see him stay in the starting line-up for as long as he is fit.

Besic is full of energy, likes to burst into the box, has a fine delivery from set-pieces and and the right winning mentality which Pulis wants from all of his players.

ADAM CLAYTON

Age: 29

Appearances this season: 6

It looked like his Middlesbrough career was over in the early throes of Pulis’ reign at the club, having struggled to get into the team after injury.

This season has seen him recapture the sort of form that made him a mainstay under Aitor Karanka and his performances will dictate he stays in the side if his quality is maintained. And he is also the most defensively minded, so can allow the others to play.

STEWART DOWNING

Age: 34

Appearances this season: 6

Granted, he might not come into your thinking automatically as a centre-midfielder but he can certainly play there as part of a three.

He is being used more often out wide at the moment, but he sees himself more as a man for the middle and still has the eye for a pass, an excellent delivery and is full of running even if age isn’t on his side.

JONNY HOWSON

Age: 30

Appearances this season: 6

Like Clayton, he has been back to somewhere near his best this season. He is putting the sort of graft in that Pulis likes and is playing some neat and tidy football. He has also not been afraid to have a shot at goal, something Middlesbrough have been wanting from their midfielders. He is starting at the moment, but does face stiff competition from the new-boys.

GRANT LEADBITTER

Age: 32

Appearances this season: 4

The team captain has not started a game since the opening day draw at Millwall, when he was withdrawn with Boro two goals down. He has exactly the sort of character Pulis likes, he loves the club and is determined to force his way back into the team.

It seems a straight battle between Clayton and Leadbitter – who had interested Sunderland in the summer - for the more defensive role in midfield and as things stand it is the former who is holding firm with the place.

PADDY McNAIR

Age: 23

Appearances this season: 7

The former Sunderland man had other options in the summer and will be determined to get his place and keep it. Pulis believes he has the ability to score ten goals from midfield because of how he plays but he needs starting spots to achieve that. He is younger than most, so has time on his side, but he is having to bide his time for now.

GEORGE SAVILLE

Age: 25

Appearances this season: 4 (for Millwall)

After costing £7m there is no way Middlesbrough will have added him to a lengthy list of midfield options to merely make up the numbers. This is a player Pulis has fancied for years and he will want him in the side sooner rather than later because of his tenacity and ability in possession.

LEWIS WING

Age: 23

Appearances this season: 3

He has lost his place in recent weeks, and that has been more to do with the arrivals than his performances. The former Shildon youngster, who is only a month younger than McNair, has made huge strides since his non-league days but faces a fight to get back in to the team given the more experienced options Pulis has at his disposal who he trusts.